Write to your MP about the need for specific support for the travel industry

Thursday, October 1, 2020

Travel companies are being urged to contact their MP about the need for specific support to help the travel industry through the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

Following the Winter Economy Plan, which was announced by the Chancellor last week, the Save Future Travel Coalition is providing template letters for travel agents and tour operators to send to their local MP on the plight of the industry and the campaign’s key asks, including the need to review the Job Support Scheme.

The Save Future Travel Coalition brings together the leading associations and consortia across the travel sector, including ABTA, Advantage, AITO, ATAS, The BTA, CLIA, SBIT, The SPAA, and The Travel Network Group, who have joined forces to lobby together and raise awareness of the industry’s demands.

The template letter, which agents and operators are encouraged to personalise to tell their own story, highlights how travel is a strategically important sector for the UK economy, supporting more than £60bn contribution to the economy and sustaining around 1 million jobs. It also makes the case that the travel industry underpins the UK’s world-leading aviation industry, keeping the UK connected internationally and domestically, with those travelling for leisure and business vital to the viability of many air routes.

The letter asks for the MP to write to both the Chancellor and the Secretary of State for Transport to urge them to consider the Save Future Travel Coalition’s plan to support travel businesses and protect jobs:

A fully regionalised quarantine policy
Introduction of testing as an additional mitigation measure
Recovery grants for SME businesses, and those left out of previous support
Review of the Job Support Scheme
APD relief for summer 2021 to boost demand.

The letters are available to download from www.abta.com/savefuturetravel, along with a search tool to help you find the right contact details for your MP. The associations will also be making those directly available to their Members, and will be working together on other initiatives in the weeks ahead.

Luke Petherbridge, ABTA’s Director of Public Affairs said:

“MPs need to understand that travel is not only viable as a sector, but also invaluable to the economic recovery of the country – and it is critical that the Government does all it can to help businesses and protect jobs.”

Julia Lo Bue-Said, CEO of The Advantage Travel Partnership said:

“There is no more powerful way to get that message across than for travel agents, operators, and those working in the industry, to tell your own personal stories about what is happening to you and your business – and it’s really important that everyone gets behind the campaign.”

Scottish Passenger Agents’ Association (SPAA) President Joanne Dooey said:

“We need MPs to realise that Scotland’s travel industry, as well as that across the UK, is hurting – and our connectivity domestically and internationally is at risk. We know that jobs and businesses are among MPs’ top concerns. They want to know is happening in their constituencies and the impact the pandemic is having on the people they represent. We’re encouraging SPAA Members to get involved in spreading that message.”

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